Minotaur

noun

Mi·​no·​taur ˈmi-nə-ˌtȯr  ˈmī- 

 also  -ˌtär

: a monster shaped half like a man and half like a bull, confined in the labyrinth built by Daedalus for Minos, and given a periodic tribute of youths and maidens as food until slain by Theseus

Examples of Minotaur in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The site is not open to the public, but Knossos, the ancient palace previously believed to be the site of the Minotaur’s labyrinth, is. —Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Sep. 2024

The runway is now populated by enormous, elaborate animatronics — some, such as the 47-ton, 46-foot-tall Minotaur and Ariadne, the Spider — can even take you for rides on their backs. —Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2025

That's the story of Blood and the Badge: The Mafia, Two Killer Cops, and a Scandal That Shocked the Nation by Michael Cannell, out Jan. 14, 2025 from Minotaur Books. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 29 Dec. 2024

Tiny Minotaur also offers day-passes for the orc-curious. —Eric Webb, Austin American-Statesman, 12 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin Minotaurus, from Greek Minōtauros, from Minōs + tauros bull

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Minotaur

• albacore
• alongshore
• antiwar
• anymore
• blastopore
• carnivore
• commodore
• dinosaur
• evermore
• furthermore
• guarantor
• herbivore